Injuries plague Fountain Valley softball team

With sports injuries, when it rains, it can sometimes pour. Just ask Fountain Valley High softball coach Rick Aldrich.

Aldrich and his team entered the season brimming with optimism and with a dugout filled with talent. But in recent weeks, a string of injuries have taken some of the wind out of their sails.

The team boasts three players who have received athletic scholarships. But two are now victims of the injury bug.

Junior pitcher/third baseman Madison Weathers was one of the first sidelined with a pinched nerve in her shoulder and neck. Weathers, offered a scholarship to Canisius College in Buffalo, N.Y., will likely be cleared to return to the field soon. But Aldrich said he wants to be certain of her health before risking re-injury.

Next was Madison Perez, a senior pitcher, outfielder and third baseman who will be on her way to Whitworth University in Spokane, Wash., next fall on scholarship. During a game in the annual Woodbridge Tournament, her back tightened up so much that she had trouble moving. The injury has put her out for the next two weeks.

Senior shortstop Emily Brucelas, who also is a scholarship recipient and will be attending UC Santa Barbara, has proven to be a stalwart amid the team's injury-plagued season. As co-captain of the team, Brucelas has maintained a positive attitude, Aldrich said.

"This is pretty much like a new team than what we had in the beginning, and we're still getting used to each other," Brucelas said of the lineup changes. "But we just have to do the best that we can."

With four league games and two remaining in the Woodbridge Tournament, Aldrich turned to junior second baseman Kelli Tatum to fill the gap in the pitching rotation. Tatum was up to the task, but she hadn't pitched since her freshman year. While Tatum has struggled since returning to the mound, Aldrich said he has seen signs of improvement and expects to see an increase in production from her as she settles into the role.

Adding to an already difficult situation, senior third baseman and co-captain Khailey Campos has been out with a sprained wrist. While Junior Tori Ellard has been able to fill in, like Tatum, she hasn't played the position for several years. But Campos, with her arm in a sling, continues to maintain a leadership role from the dugout.

"I tell the girls all the time that they need to keep their heads up," Campos said. "We have each other's backs. That's what a team is. We risk everything for each other. We're family."

The team's 9-9 record says quite a bit about the team's struggles, but several games have been lost by small margins. Aldrich said their pitching issue has caused problems offensively.

"I think that with the injuries to our pitching staff, the offense is trying to do more than they can do," Aldrich said. "I think that they're pressing a little bit and trying a little bit too hard, and so every at-bat is not a quality at-bat. If you've got the pitching, your offense can relax."

But even with some tough opponents still on the team's schedule, Aldrich said he is confident that the pitching will improve and take the pressure off the offense.

"It could potentially be a long season if we don't get someone back quick," Aldridge said. "But we're trying to stay positive and keep the girls motivated."